God sends a strong delusion – why
God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:11, God sends a strong delusion so that they may believe what is false. Many have asked why does God send a strong delusion so that people will believe what is false. Christians have wondered about this verse and non Christians have used this verse to say that God is morally wrong to deceive people. What is God saying?
It is really important – actually, it is critically important to read verses in context. That scripture standing alone is misleading unless one reads it in context with the rest of the text. The setting or context is the discussion of the Day of the Lord. The historical context is a serious problem stemming from the false teachers about the coming of the Day of the Lord. Paul reassured the Thessalonian believers that the Day of the Lord had not yet happened and would not until other events took place. Paul assures the Thessalonians that the Day of the Lord will not occur unless the apostasy comes first, the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, and takes his seat in the temple of God.
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Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (ESV)
In verse 10, all those who perish are “because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.” They did not believe the truth but took pleasure in wickedness (verse 12). God is not sending a deluding influence to a single person who believes but only to those that take pleasure in wickedness. He is turning them over to what they want. They want to believe lies and take pleasure in wickedness and God is giving them what they are naturally following.
In fact, we find this in Romans 1:24 and 28 as well.
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Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
Romans 1:24 (ESV)
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And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
Romans 1:28 (ESV)
God is not making or bending the mind of man to believe lies or take pleasure in wickedness. That is their natural inclination. He is giving them up to their natural inclinations. He is giving them more of what they want.
Their minds are seared “by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron” for they paid attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.
God has not changed anyone by a delusion. He has not bent the mind of anyone that was inclined to believe in Him. He has reinforced the inclination of the wicked.
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Hi Tishrei
Wonderful post that is a good word and very well explained,a lot of people read God’s word with the wrong mind set and then just run with what they think they know. But God’s Spirit must open the word up in order for us to really understand it ,so they believe lies and things made up in their minds,and it’s so sad but God’s word is true and will stand forever. Tishrei I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and do stop in to visit my place when you have a chance.
Love in Christ
I agree completely!! God must open our our eyes and ears so that we can see and hear the things of God.
And you too have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.
Hey Tishrei,
Another article on hell if you’re still iffy on the idea of it, with babies burning below and all. (Sorry off topic from post, just quickest way to get in touch with you)
http://emmilglenn.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/tormented-day-and-night-forever/
Tishrei,
This is very well put….. Verse 10 — “BECAUSE they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved,” is at the very core of the matter….. People want to blame God for not saving everyone….. But, God is always faithful — it is the people who have a great inclination to be unfaithful, greedy, lustful, and self-centered in all their desires…… The Old Testament tells of account after account of God’s faithfulness and the people’s unfaithfulness — but yet, the people always accuse God of not tending to all their desires and claim that “proves” God does not love them….. People tend to refuse to admit the evil lurking in their hearts — while proclaiming a self-righteousness that “deserves” all sorts of earthly rewards.
They accuse God….. And, it makes me think of how Satan is called “The Accuser”….. The depths of sin in this are frightening.
Margaret
Sadly, and I really mean that, sadly, people do want to blame God for not saving everyone. People love the darkness and not the light and therefore reject the only means of salvation. That is really beyond tragic.